DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 9thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
Thiruvekka
Sri Yathothkari Perumal temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu
situated in Kanchipuram. This temple of Lord Vishnu located near Rangaswamy
Tank, Chinna Kanchi and it is just 1 km away from Sri Varadaraja Perumal
Temple. There are many remarkable myths associated with this temple. As one
enters the Sannidhi, one feels that there is something wrong, something
different, that one is not normally used to seeing in Vishnu temples.
It takes a little time for one to realize that Lord Vishnu, here at ThiruVekka,
is seen in a different sleeping posture from right to left (Maaru Sayanam) with
his head resting on the left hand. In all other Divya Desams, where the Lord is
represented in a sleeping posture, he can be seen sleeping from left to right
with his head resting on his right hand.
The
legend has that Thirumazhisai Alwar, one of the fervent devotees and a famous
Vaishnavaite saint lived in Kanchi and served Lord Yathothkari Perumal in this
temple. There was a Dasi woman used to clean the temple premises in this way
she selflessly served the Lord. Seeing her sincereity and self-less devotion to
Lord, Thirumazhisai Alwar blessed her to become a beautiful maiden. Later, the
King of this city fallen at the enchanting beautify of this lady and married
her. The King learned the truth of her captivating attractiveness and decided
to meet Thirumazhisai Alwar.
Kanikannan
was a close associate and an an ardent follower of Thirumazhisai Alwar. One
day, the King ordered Kanikannan to appear before the court. Kanikannan was
produced before the assembly, King demanded Kanikannan to bring Thirumazhisai
Alwar to the palace so that he could listen to Alwar singing and praising the
glories of him. Kanikannan authentically revealed the fact that Thirumazhisai
Alwar sung priaising the glories of no one other than Lord Vishnu and it would
be an impossible task for him to sing praising the King. Kanikannan who was
being a close associate of Thirumazhisai Alwar, the King had no doubt on the
intelligence of Kanikannan. He persuaded Kanikannan with all the precious
jewels, diamonds, etc... to praise his virtues. Kanikannan flatly refused to do
so. The King was totally annoyed at the arrogant act of Kanikannan and ordered
him to stay out of the Kanchi with an immediate effect.
Kanikannan
explained Thirumazhisai Alwar about the whole incident happened at the assembly
of the King and his final verdict to leave the city. He prepared to leave
Kanchi to follow the verdict, soon Thirumazhisai Alwar also joined with him.
Before leaving this temple, Thirumazhisai Alwar fervently sung beautiful verses
requesting Lord to be with them on their way out of Kanchi. Lord Yathothkari
Perumal also decided to leave Kanchi at the true passion of Thirumazhisai
Alwar. Consequently, Lord Yathothkari Perumal followed Thirumazhisai Alwar and
Kanikannan on their way out of Kanchi.
Shortly, the King realized the absence of Lord in this temple and deeply
regretted at his ignorance. He requested Kanikannan to pardon him and received
Kanikannan and his Acharya with due respect and honor to Kanchi. Thus Sri
Yathothkari Perumal was re-positioned in the sanctum sanctorum with his divine
presence.
And
after this, Kani Kannan along with Thirumizhisai Alwar came back to
Kanchipuram. When returning, Alwar sung a song asking that Kani Kannan has
returned back to Kanchi and he want the Perumal to go and sleep in his
Aadhiseshan in the temple. On hearing this, Sriman Narayanan comes back to
Thiruvekka temple and gives his sayana kols seva. Since the Perumal obeyed the
words of Thirumizhisai Alwar and did what he said, he is called as "Sonna
Vannam seitha perumal". Sonna vannam seitha means obeying and doing the
same what was told to him. This is one of the purana story said about this
sthalam.
Five temples in Chinna Kanchipuram have stories relating to Brahmma’s
Ashwamedha yaagam and Saraswathi’s anger at being ignored for the Yagam. Naan
mughan, Brahma wanted to do the great Ashwametha Yagam in Kanchipuram and
wanted Saraswathi to be along with him. So, he sent his son Vashistan to make
Saraswathi come back to him. But, Saraswathi refused to come along with him.
After this, Brahma devan started the Yagam keeping Savithri and all of his
wives with him.
On
seeing this, the Asuraas (the Demon) wanted to destroy the Yagam and went to
Saraswathi and made her angry by telling her what is happening. She got angry
on Brahma devan and started as "Vegavathi" river along the south
direction and flow across the place of the Yagam to destroy it . But, Sriman
Narayanan wanted to stop Vegavadhi river and protect the Yagam from her. So, he
stoped the river by lying across the river on Aadhiseshan. Because of this,
this perumal is also named as "Vaga Sethu".
This
Vega Sethu then became Vegavanai and then finally named as "Vekkanai"
and finally became "Vekka".
In
this sthalam only, Manavala Maamunigal expalined his "Sri Bashyam" to
the world.
Other
Reasons for Maaru Sayanam: Two other reasons are also stated for Lord’s
opposite sleeping posture. Since he left his residing place and later returned,
he is said to have slept in the opposite direction as proof that he had left
the place once.
Legend
also has it that, as Lord Vishnu came in a tearing hurry, on Brahmma’s request,
to block River VegaVathi ( Saraswathi), he is said to have slept in the
opposite direction.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Yadokdhagari |
|
Ambal |
Sri Komalavalli Nachiyar |
|
Theertham |
Poigai Pushkarani Theertham |
Devotees pray here for
prosperity and marriage.
Aipassi
Thiruvonam, the birth star of Poigai Azhwar, is celebrated every year.
Brahmotsavam celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (April
- May) is the major festival of the temple. To indicate the legend of
Kanikannan, the festive image of Yathothkari, Tirumalisai Azhwar and
Kanikkannan are taken in procession to Orikkai village to have a short stay
during the Thai Magam festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Thai
(January - February). Azhwar Utsavam is a festival celebrated annually
during the birth date of the Poigai Azhwar based on Tamil calendar in
the temple.
HOW
TO REACH:
3
kms from Bus Stand. On the way to Varadharaja Perumal Temple.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal Thirukkoil,
Thiruvehka,
Kancheepuram,
Tamil Nadu - 631502.
LOCATION:
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